Automatic pinspotter spare practice device having selectively deactivated respottingunits



June 23, 1964 E. J. KROLLMA 3,138,378 AUTOMATIC PINSPOTTER SPARE PRACTI ICE HAVING SELECTIVELY DEACTIVATED RESPOTTI UNITS Filed March 29, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet l I M- INVENTOR EDWARD J. KROLLMAN BY M4 @4 ATTORNEY June 1964 E. J. KROLLMAN 3, 1 3 8 THSAVING AUTOMATIC PINSPOTTER SPARE PRACTICE DEVICE SELECTIVELY DEACTIVATED RESPOTTING UNI Filed March 29, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 23, 1964 E. J. KROLLMAN 3,138,378

AUTOMATIC PINSPOTTER SPARE PRACTICE DEVICE HAVING LECTIVELY DEACTIVATED RESPOTTING UNITS Filed March 29, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. 2A

INVENTOR EDWARD J. KROLLMAN hay/4% ATTORNEY MACHINE CONTROL June 23, 1964 E. J. KROLLMAN AUTOMATIC PINSPOTTER n 4 B 3mm m 4 SPARE PRACTICE DEVICE HA SELECTIVELY DEACTIVATED RESPOTTING UNITS Filed March 29, 1961 -1III/ ll 57 INVENTOR. 58 EDWARD J. KROLLMAN BY M4 United States Patent 3,138,378 AUTOMATIC PINSPOTTER SPARE PRACTICE DE- VICE HAVING SELECTIVELY DEACTIVATED RESPO'ITING UNITS Edward J. Krollman, Stamford, Conn, assignor to American Machine & Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Filed Mar. 29, 1961, Ser. No. 99,198 5 Claims. (Cl. 273-43) This invention relates to the game of bowling, and more particularly to means which make it possible to bowl at selected pin combinations.

The game of bowling is one in which bowlers continually strive to improve their scores and thereby raise their bowling averages. In this way, when a player does achieve the goal of maintaining a high average, it often becomes desirable for him to be able to practice before rolling in active play. In order to practice, it is necessary that certain selected pin combinations be made available to him on a bowling lane such that by repetition of selections of pin set-ups the bowler can train himself to use the proper technique in delivering his ball at the selected pin combination.

It will be appreciated that special or selected pin setups or combinations can be effected, as requested, by a pin boy, however, in modern bowling centers where bowling lanes are served by automatic pinspotters, there is a problem of so controlling the operation of the pin spotter that desired selected combinations of pins can be placed upon an alley rapidly and without effort on the part of the player or others, thereby making it possible to practice under conditions which are most satisfactory and which do not in any way obstruct the purposes a bowler may have in mind, in the placement of pins in a selected manner upon the pin deck of a bowling lane.

The present invention relates primarily to improvements in automatic bowling pinspotting machines of the type disclosed in Holloway Patent 2,930,616 in which bowling pins are spotted and respotted automatically as the play of each game proceeds from frame to frame until the number of frames allowed by each game is played. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is also adaptable for use with other types of pin spotting machines having means capable of being controlled by the player or others to effect the desired placement of selected pins on the pin deck of a bowling lane.

The invention disclosed herein provides a device which allows bowlers to practice rolling against any selected pin set-ups they may desire. The control for selecting the desired pin set-up is so integrated with the pin respotting mechanism that by means of suitable selectively operated elements, such as ten control buttons connected to the pin respotting means, the desired selction of pins to be set up can be made. In the operation of a machine of the type disclosed in the above referred to Holloway Patent 2,930,616, bowling pins are spotted by pin spotters in he conventional triangular spotted area of a bowling lane. As soon as pins have been spotted the pin spotting device moves the spotters upwardly to a dwell position leaving the pins standing on the lane. The bowler then pushes the numbered buttons which represent pins not wanted so that when the device locates its respotting means in operative position with respect to standing pins, only the pins which are to be respotted will be lifted and the sweep will remove from the alley the unwanted standing pins. In this manner the device on its next movement will effect the respotting of the selected pins of the desired practice combination on the pin deck so that after the device moves up to its inactive position the bowler can roll his ball at his selected practice com- 3,138,378 Patented June 23, 1964 bination of pins. In order that the player may know and be sure that he has selected the proper combination of pins, there are provided means for signalling visibly the pins which remain standing.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel device for enabling a bowler to practice rolling against selected combinations of pins in order to improve his skill. It is a further object to apprise a bowler as to the exact combination of pins against which he has selected to bowl. This is accomplished by providing novel visible signalling means which are made visible in response to the selection of pins to form the selected practice combination.

The invention is further charcterized by the provision of a novel bowling pin spotting machine provided with novel means for selectively placing combinations of bowling pins on an alley so that a bowler may increase his skill by practicing rolling against any desired combination of pins he may have in mind.

The invention also is further charcterized by the provision of a bowling pin spotting machine having novel manually operating means for effecting the selective placement of practice combinations of pins on a bowling alley, thereby enabling bowlers to practice rolling against such selected combinations of pins, and other means which indicate visibly the positions of the selected combinations of pins.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodment thereof, reference being made to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which like characters of reference indicate the same or like parts:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a bowling pin spotting machine embodying the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a schematic diagram of a suitable operating circuit for controlling the placement of selected pins on the playing deck of a bowling alley, and means for indicating visibly the positions of such selected pins.

FIGURE 2a is a schematic diagram of a modified form of operating circuit embodying the invention.

FIGURE 3 is a detailed view of a pin respotting device embodying the invention.

FIGURE 4 is a partial sectional view of the pin respotting device shown in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a front view of the structure shown in FIGURE 4.

Referring to the drawings which indicate a preferred embodiment of the invention, in FIGURE 1 M indicates a bowling pin spotting machine of the type shown in Dumas 'Patent 2,821,395, granted January 28, 1958 having a table T on which are mounted ten spotters 21 operative to spot pins, and ten respotters designated generally 20 which are operative to grip and lift pins to be respotted on the playing deck A of a bowling alley or lane.

Table T and respotter units 20, which, as indicated schematically in FIGURE 2 are arranged triangularly on table T, may be the same in construction and operation as the spotting and respotting mechanism shown and described in Holloway et al., Patent 2,930,616, granted March 29, 1960. In the present application only so much of the mechanism is shown as is necessary to impart an understanding of the invention, and hence the detailed construction of table T and the mechanism for raising and lowering it to and from the pin supporting deck of a bowling alley are not described and illustrated herein.

In the normal operation of the machine, the first ball of a frame is rolled, table T is lowered in order that the respotters 20 may grip and hold pins to be respotted in onspot or off-spot positions on the playing deck of the alley. Pins gripped and held in respotters 20 are raised above alley A in response to the upward movement of table T therefrom, and while held so elevated a sweep S is operated to remove unwantedpins from the playing deck of the alley into the pit P thereof. As soon as sweep S has returned to its inoperative position, table T is again lowered to effect the release of respotted pins from their respective respotters 20. This operation being completed, table T again moves upwardly to its inactive or dwell position awaiting the rolling of the next ball and completion of the frame. After the second ball of a frame is rolled the sweep removes any standing pins or dead wood from the alley and returns to its dwell position whereupon table T moves downwardly, the spotters 21 spot a new set of pins on the pin deck of the alley and table T again returns to its inactive position above the alley so that the first ball of the first frame can then be rolled.

As will be understood from reference to the aforementioned Dumas patent in particular the initiation of a normal cycle of machine operation, which involves lowering of the table T after rolling of the first ball, is effected by the momentary closing of a switch (identified by reference numeral 90 in Dumas) in the main control circuit. As disclosed also in the Dumas patent, this switch is connected to the backstop in the pit, so that for present purposes the actuation of this switch could be effected by rolling what is known as a gutter ball. However, it will be understood to those skilled in the art that this switch (switch 90 in Dumas) can be thereby actuated, or can be actuated through controls operated from the head of the alley, in order to bring about lowering of the table and its associated respotters 20.

In accordance with the present invention wherein it is desired to make possible the automatic spotting of selected pin combination, mechanism is provided incapacitating certain or selected respotters 20 in order that desired combinations of pins can be placed on the alley for practice bowling. In accordance with the invention table T is operative to place a full set of pins on the pin deck of the alley and return to its dwell position thereabove. If a bowler wishes to bowl against ten pins he proceeds in the usual manner and the mechanism for spotting and respotting operates without any change over that disclosed in the above referred to Holloway and Dumas patents.

Let it be assumed, however, that the bowler wishes to bowl against the combination of pins numbers 1, 2 and 3. Therefore, he actuates switch 112 to close contacts 111, and operates means provided for incapacitating respotter units corresponding to pins 4 through 10, so that when table T moves down to pick-up position after the rolling of the first ball of a frame, only respotters COI'I'G-t sponding to pin numbers 1, 2 and 3 are operative and capable of gripping, holding and lifting pins to be respotted in accordance with the desired pin combination against which the bowler wishes to bowl. As soon as table T has been raised to its dwell position above the alley carrying pins numbers 1, 2 and 3 the sweep S sweeps from the alley standing pins numbers 4 through 10. In its next operation table T returns to pin respotting position and pins numbers 1, 2 and 3 are respotted on the pin deck of the alley so that the bowler can now roll against his selected pin combination i.e., pin numbers 1, 2 and 3. It will be appreciated that any selected combination of pins can be set up in the manner described. The mechanism for effecting these results is as follows:

As mentioned hereinabove, there are ten respotter units designated generally 20 which are similar in construction and operation to those described in detail in Holloway et al. Patent 2,930,616. Since each respotter is identical in its construction and operation it is considered sufiicient to describe but one.

Referring to FIGURE 3, respotter 20 comprises a bracket 24 secured to shaft 26 supported in the frame 28 of table T. There are four shafts 26, only one of which is shown in section, and as disclosed in the above referred to Holloway et al. patent, a shaft 26 may support one, two,

three or four respotters depending upon its position in frame members 28 of table T. Bracket 24 is keyed to shaft 26, and adjustably attached to bracket 24 is a bracket 25 supporting or formed integrally with a spotter 21. Each respotter 20 is formed with two spaced arms 30.

Suitably attached to the outer surface of each arm is an elongated horizontal track member 32 in which run rollers 34 rotatably supported on pins 36 in frame member 38, as disclosed in FIGURE 3. Frame member 38 comprises two elongated diverging tracks 40 in which roll rollers 42 rotatably supported in arms 44 forming a part of gripper jaw supporting members 46. Also carried on members 46 are rollers 48 which roll in horizontal track 50 formed in an elongated horizontal support 52. There are two supports 52, one support being mounted on opposite ends of pin head clamping member 54, as shown in FIGURE 3. The undersurface of pin head clamping member or plate 54 is provided with a suitably compressible material 56, such as sponge rubber, which, when table T is moved downwardly into engagement with the head of a standing pin, compresses as shown in FIGURE 4, and effects the relative upward movement of clamping member 54 from the position shown in FIGURE 3 to that shown in FIGURE 4.

In the same manner as disclosed in the above referred to Holloway Patent 2,930,616, members 46 are provided with downwardly projecting extensions 57 and a crosspiece 58 (FIGURE 4) which extend transversely along clamping plate 54, thereby providing a clamping surface extending the full width of plate 54. Attached to crosspiece 58 are strips 69 of a suitably compressible material, such as sponge rubber which, when members 56 are brought together as shown in FIGURE 4 securely hold a pin to be lifted and respotted.

Plate 54 is provided with an upstanding flange 62 having a vertical web projecting rearwardly therefrom, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 in which are pivotally mounted one end of each of two compound spaced links 64, 66, the other ends of which are pivotally supported in arms 30.

Mounted on bracket 24 is a strip 68 having at its lower end an outwardly extending nose 70, the function of which is described further hereinafter. The upper end of strip 68 is attached by screws 72 to the upper end of bracket 24; its lower end is attached by screws 74 to the lower end of the same bracket. Pivotally mounted on pin 76 supported in outwardly extending spaced ears formed in strip 68 is a trigger or latch operating member 80. This member normally is held in downwardly extending position by spring 82. One end of spring 82 is attached to an angular projection formed in strip 68; its other end is attached to finger 80.

Plate 54 is provided with an inwardly extending vertical flange 84 on which a star cam or latch 86 is rotatably supported on a threaded pin 88, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. In the normal operation of a respotting unit 20, trigger 80 is disposed in the position shown in FIG- URE 3 such that when table T is moved downwardly after the rolling of a first ball of a frame so that its corresponding standing pin may be lifted and respotted, the free end 81 of trigger 80 will engage the upper edge 90 of star cam 86, and rock it counter-clockwise, as viewed in FIGURES 3 and 4, so as to rock portion 92 of star cam 86 into position to engage nose 70. This coaction causes jaws of the respotting member 20 to remain in closed position (FIGURE 4), gripping the head end of a pin whereupon on the subsequent movement of table T upwardly such pin will be lifted above the pin deck of the alley and the sweep S can operate to remove fallen or unwanted pins. Upon the next movement of the table downwardly the separation between portion 92 and nose is such that star cam 86 is returned to the position shown in FIGURE 3 and the respotting gripper arms 60 and plate 56 assume the positions shown in FIG- URE 3. It follows, therefore, that the lifted pin is released and respotted in proper position on the pin deck of the alley.

In order to assure that trigger 80 will be positioned properly for normal co-action with surface 90 of star cam 86 trigger 80 is provided with an integral transverse rearwardly projecting portion 83, shown in FIGURE 4, which when trigger 80 is in the position shown in FIG- URE 3 bears against strip 68 and thereby forms a stop member limiting the counter-clockwise movement of trigger 80, as viewed in FIGURE 4.

In accordance with the invention when it is desired to incapacitate selected respotter units 20 so that their gripper jaws 60 will not grip and hold standing pins, mechanism is provided to effect the movement of trigger 80 out of its normal operative position such that its free end 81 cannot co-act with surface 90 of star wheel 86 in the manner described above. In order to accomplish this purpose a preferred embodiment of the invention may take the form of the mechanism shown in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5. This mechanism comprises a bracket 94 suitably attached to the outer face of vertical flange 62 of plate 54. Bracket 94 supports a solenoid 96 having an armature 98 encircled by a spring 100 bearing against the body of solenoid 96 and a bar 102 attached to the free end of armature 98. The free end 104 of bar 102 extends into a transverse slot 106 formed in a slide bar 108, the free end of which extends through a bore 110 formed in flange 62.

In the normal operation of a bowling pin spotting machine provided with respotters such as those designated 20 herein, solenoid 96 of each respotter unit 20 is maintained de-energized, and accordingly, its operating bar 108 is positioned as shown in FIGURE 3. However, when in accordance with the invention it is desired to incapacitate selected respotter units 20, the solenoids 96 of the selected respotting units 20 are energized, as described in detail hereinbelow, and the operating slide bars 108 of the selected respotter units 20 are moved into active position shown in FIGURE 4. The result of this movement of the selected operating bars 108 into active position is such as to cause the cut-out portion 85 of triggers 80 to come into engagement with the upper surface of such slide bars 108 in response to the relative movement of table T downwardly and clamp plates 54 upwardly so that triggers 80 assume the positions shown in FIGURE 4 and there cannot be any engagement efi'ected between the surfaces 92 and noses 70 of the selected respotting units. Therefore, in such case when table T moves upwardly the gripper jaws 60 of the selected units 20 will move apart and unwanted pins will remain standing on the pin deck of the bowling alley. In the next operation of the machine sweep S is moved along the pin deck to remove unwanted pins therefrom so that upon the next downward movement of the table only the pins of the selected combination of pins to be rolled against wil be spotted awaiting the rolling of the ball by the bowler against the combination of pins he has selected.

FIGURE 2 illustrates a suitable schematic wiring diagram for use with a bowling pin spotter of the type shown in the above referred to Holloway et al. patent and Dumas Patent 2,821,395 granted January 28, 1959. In FIGURE 2 table T, illustrated by broken lines, is adapted as in the patent referred to, to be moved to and from the pin deck of alley A for spotting and respotting pins thereon. The operation of machine M is controlled by a control system designated generally 110 which may be the same in construction and operation as that disclosed in the above referred to Dumas Patent 2,821,395 granted January 28, 1959. The control system 110 does not form a specific part of the present invention and therefore,

further description and disclosure is deemed unnecessary to an understanding of the movement of table T to and from alley A for the purposes specified, the operation of sweep S after the rolling of each ball of a frame and the delivery of bowling pins by elevating mechanism E and distributing system D to pin spotters 21. The circuit illustrated in the wiring diagram may be considered as adjunct to control system 110. Its use is selective in that when contacts 111 of switch 112 are open this adjunct circuit is inoperative and machine M operates in accordance with the control exercised thereover by control system 110. When, however, switch 112 is closed, as shown in FIGURE 2, the adjunct circuit shown in FIG- URE 2 operates in conjunction with the control system so that pins are spotted and respotted in the manner referred to above.

As shown in FIGURE 2, 114 designates generally a manual selection control unit having ten individually operable selector devices each including a switch 122 and a signal light 124. These units are arranged in a generally triangular configuration and with each light corresponding to a particular pin spot of pin deck A of the alley. When a practice combination of pins is decided upon all switches 122 other than those corresponding to the pins which will form the selected practice combination are actuated manually and means described hereinbelow is operated to effect the actual placement of the selected pins on alley A. At the same time each switch is actuated, i.e., closed, the corresponding lights 124 associated therewith are extinguished. It will be appreciated that switches 122 could be normally closed switches and that they could be opened and effect the same result. The lights 124 which remain lighted record for the bowler a combination of pins he has selected to roll against.

Since the construction and operation of each of the selector units 120 is the same only one will be described. Reference is made to selector unit 120 which designates the number one (1) pin. With the closing of switch 122 a circuit is made through its contacts and through the coil of relay 126 which forms a part of the means for incapacitating respotter 20 corresponding to number (1) pin. With the energization of the coil of relay 126 contacts 126-a and 126-b are closed and contacts 126-c are opened. As long as contacts 126-c remain closed, a circuit will be held in through signal light 128 in an annunciator designated 130 which indicates the presence or absence of standing pins on bowling alley A. Thus, when contacts 126-c are opened in the manner described signal light 128 wil be extinguished. The closing of contacts 126-a constitutes a holding circuit through the coil of relay 126, and accordingly, this relay is held-in until relay 126 is de-energized. The closing of contacts 126-b provides a circuit through the coil of solenoid 96 and, as described hereinabove, the energization of a selected solenoid 96 effects the movement of slide bar 108 into position to incapacitate its corresponding trigger finger 80 so that in this case as described the respotting mechanism 20 corresponding to pin number (1) is incapacitated and pin number (1) will not be lifted and respotted. Each of the ten respotters 20 designated diagrammatically in FIGURE 2, and one of which is shown in detail in FIGURE 3 can be incapacitated by means described hereinabove since the construction and operation of each is identical.

Referring to FIGURE 2, it will be appreciated that as long as contacts 111 remain closed and a selected combination of pins for practice has been made by actuating selected switches 122, this combination will be respotted on alley A repetitively or until button 132 of switch 112 is actuated to break the circuit through contacts 111.

If it is desired to effect the placement of different combinations of pins for practice rolling in succession, after table T in the operation of machine M has lifted and respotted selected standing pins on alley A, button 132 of switch 112 is depressed and the circuit through contacts 111 of switch 112 is opened thereby incapacitating the adjunct circuit shown in FIGURE 2. When, for example, a desired combination of pins such as numbers 1, 2 and 3 is to be set on alley A for practice, switches 122 corresponding to pins numbers 4 through are pressed and lights 124 corresponding to such pins in manual control selection unit 114 and also corresponding lights in signalling unit 130 are extinguished. Lights corresponding to pin numbers 1, 2 and 3 continue to glow in both unit 114 and unit 130. For purposes of easy access for use manual selection control unit 114 may be so constructed and form a part of the scoring table at the approach end of a bowling alley where it is readily accessible to the player or to some person to whom the job of effecting the set-up of selected combinations of pins has been designated. Preferably unit 130 is located at the far end of a bowling alley or lane and thereabove where it can be viewed by the bowler prior to and when he rolls against the selected combination of pins.

FIGURE 2a illustrates a schematic diagram of a modified form of operating circuit embodying the invention. As shown in FIGURE 2a, there is provided a manual selection control device designated generally 214 which comprises ten individually operable selector units 215, each including a switch 222 and a visible signal, such as a signal light 224. Selector units 215 preferably are arranged in triangular configuration as in the case of units 120 described hereinabove. Visible signal lights 224 normally are de-energized.

In FIGURE 2a table T, illustrated in broken lines, is adapted as in the Holloway and Dumas patents above referred to, to be moved to and from the pin deck of alley A for spotting and respotting pins thereon. The operating circuit shown in FIGURE 2a is adapted to be connected in the circuit of bowling pin spotting machine M which is controlled by a control system designated generally as in the case of the circuit illustrated in FIGURE 2 that illustrated in FIGURE 2a to be considered a selective adjunct circuit to control system 110. As shown in FIGURE 2a, when contacts 211 of switch 212 are closed the circuit shown in FIGURE 2a is operative. When button 232 is depressed and opens contacts 211 the operating circuit is broken and pin spotting machine M thereupon continues to operate under the control of machine control circuit 110. Also connected in parallel with each of the signal lights 24 is another visible signal,

such as a light 228 mounted in a framework of a visible annunciator or signal bed designated generally 230. This annunciator preferably is located at the far end of a bowling lane adjacent the pit where it can be readily viewed by the player and spectators. The selection control device preferably is rather small in size and is located on the scoring table where it is readily accessible to a player or some designated party who selects and effects the placement of desired pin combinations on bowling lane A for practice play.

Table T carries ten respotter units designated generally 220 which are identical in construction and operation to respotters referred to hereinabove. Each respotter 220 is provided with incapacitating means identical with that shown in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 and described hereinabove for incapacitating the respotters and preventing the pick up of pins thereby for respotting. The electrically controlled mechanism for operating the solenoids which incapacitate the respotter units 220 however, are different and are described as follows:

Since each respotter 220 is provided with the same operating means, it is considered only necessary to describe but one. Referring to FIGURE 2a, it will be seen that each respotter is provided with a solenoid 196 similar in construction and operation to solenoid 96 described above. All of the ten solenoids 196 are energized upon closing of contacts 211 and remain closed until selected switches 222 are actuated. Referring to the number 7 pin position shown in FIGURE 2a or respotter 220 located in the upper left corner of table T as viewed in FIGURE 2a, when its corresponding switch 222 in device 214 is pressed relay 226 is energized and contacts 226-a and 226c are closed. At the same time contacts 226b are opened. As a result of this operation relay 226 is held in, contacts 226-0 remain closed and visible signal lights 224 and 228 corresponding to the number 7 pin position glow. At the same time due to the breaking of the circuit through solenoid 196 of the number 7 pin position the corresponding slide bar 108 is moved to the position shown in FIGURE 3 and cam surface 92 engages nose so that when table T moves upwardly number 7 pin will be lifted and upon the next downward movement of table T be respotted on alley A. In similar manner, if switches 222 corresponding to pin positions numbers 1, 2 and 3 were pressed the corresponding signal lights 224 would glow and also signal lights 228 corresponding to pin positions 1, 2 and 3 would glow. So also solenoids 196 of respotters 220 corresponding to pin positions 1, 2 and 3 would be deenergized and hence, these pin respotters 220 would be effective in gripping and lifting pins for spotting and respotting so that on the next downward movement of the table T pins numbers 1, 2 and 3 would be placed on the pin deck of alley A awaiting the practice ball against this selected combination of pins. Since all other solenoids 196 corresponding to pin positions 4 through 10 would still be energized their corresponding respotters 220 would be incapacitated and hence could not lift pins and they would be swept into the pit as described above.

As long as switch 212 remains in the position shown in FIGURE 2a closing contacts 211 the same selected combination of pins will be placed on the alley awaiting a practice ball. If it were desired to roll against a different combination of pins after the rolling of a ball against a selected combination, button 232 would be pressed breaking the circuit through all of the solenoids 196 and signal lights 224 and 228 thereby inactuating the entire circuit shown in FIGURE 2a. However, when switch 212 is again closed, closing contacts 211 any selected set up of a practice combination of pins can be obtained in the manner described.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus adapted to place on a bowling alley a selected pin or combination of pins representing less than the full array of pins and comprising:

(1) pinspotting means for placing said full array of pins on the alley; (2) means for sweeping fallen and unwanted pins from said alley; (3) a plurality of pin respotting units movable vertically to lift and respot pins standing on the alley; (4) control means for said pinspotting and sweeping means and for said respotting units effecting complete cycles of operation thereof, each such cycle comprising operation of said pinspotting means, followed by a first downward and upward trip of said units prior to operation of said sweeping means and thereafter a second downward and upward trip of said units; (5) each of said respotting units comprising:

(a) jaw means adapted to grasp the upper porportion of a pin; (b) means operable responsive to movement of said jaw means to the level of said upper pin portions, during said first trip, to close said jaw means and maintain the same in closed position during subsequent upward movement thereof;

(c) a deactivating means selectively operable to prevent .the operation of the last-mentioned means upon movement thereof to said level of upper pin portions during said first trip, whereby a standing pin is not lifted by said jaw means; and

(d) means effecting the release of a pin held by said jaw means during said second trip;

(6) and a control system for the plurality of said deactivating means associated with said respotting units, said control system including means for effecting the selection and operation of a single deactivating means or a combination of deactivating means corresponding to said selected pin or combination of pins representing less than said full array.

2. Apparatus adapted to place on a bowling alley a selected pin or combination of pins representing less than the full array of pins and comprising:

( 1) pinspotting means for pins on the alley;

(2) means for sweeping fallen and unwanted pins from said alley;

(3) a plurality of pin respotting units movable vertically to lift and respot pins standing on the alley;

(4) control means for said pinspotting and sweeping means and for said respotting units efiecting complete cycles of operation thereof, each such cycle comprising operation of said pinspotting means, followed by a first downward and upward movement of said units to lift pins from the alley prior to operation of said sweeping means and thereafter a second downward and upward movement of said units to respot pins on the alley;

(5) each of said respotting units comprising:

(a) jaw means adapted to grasp the upper portion of a pin standing on the alley;

(b) means engageable with the top of a pin on said first downward movement of the unit, and responsive to said engagement to close said jaw means about said upper pin portion;

(c) means for holding said jaw means in closed position during said first upward movement to maintain the grasp on said pin;

(d) a means for disabling the last-mentioned means in the course of said first downward and upward movement, whereby said pin is not lifted; and

(e) means effecting the release of a pin, which is lifted and held by said jaw means, in the course of said second downward and upward movement.

(6) and a control system for the plurality of said disabling means associated with the plurality of said respotting units, and including means for selectively effecting the operation of only the said disabling means or combination thereof corresponding to pins not required for said selected pin or combination of pms.

placing said full array of (1) pinspotting means for placing said full array of pins on the alley; (2) means for sweeping fallen and unwanted pins from said alley;

(3) a plurality of pin respotting units having a common vertically movable frame structure;

(4) supporting means for raising and lowering said frame structure;

(5) control means for said pinspotting, sweeping and supporting means and for said respotting units for effecting complete cycles of operation thereof, each such cycle comprising operation of said pinspotting means, followed by a first downward and upward movement of said frame structure prior to operation of said sweeping means and thereafter a second downward and upward movement of said frame structure;

(6) each of said respotting units comprising:

(a) a member movably mounted on said frame structure and displaceable relative thereto by engagement with the top of a pin standing on the alley;

(b) at least two opposed pin-grasping jaws mounted on said frame structure for opening and closing movements;

(0) an operating linkage connecting said member and said jaws, said linkage effecting the closing of said jaws upon displacement of said member upwardly by engagement with a standing pin, and opening thereof in the absence of such engagement;

(d) a first element, fixedly mounted on said frame;

(e) a second element, mounted on said member for movement into the vertical path of travel of said first element;

(f) means responsive to said upward relative displacement of said member during lowering of said frame structure to move said second element into position above said first element on said path, whereby upon return upward movement of said frame structure the downward displacement of said member to permit opening of said jaws is prevented;

(g) a disabling means operable to prevent said movement of said second element by the lastmentioned means into position above said first element, whereby upon upward return movement of said frame structure the opening of said jaws is permitted;

(h) means removing said second element from above said first element during said second upward and downward movement of said frame structure, thereby to effect release and respotting of a grasped pin;

(7) and a control system for the plurality of said disabling means associated with said plurality of respotting units, said system including means for selectively effecting the operation of only a said disabling means or selected plurality thereof corresponding to pins not forming a part of said selected pin or combination of pins.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said means for moving said second element comprises a member mounted on said frame structure and positioned for operation of said second element, and said disabling means comprises electromagnetically operated means for removing the last mentioned means from an operative positron.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,468,212 Redfield pt- 8, 1 1,524,241 Hedenskoog Jan. 27, 1925 2,017,143 Bentz Oct. 15, 1935 2,736,554 Fluke et al Feb. 28, 1956 2,930,616 Holloway et a1. Mar. 29, 1960 2,974,955 Walsh Mar. 14, 1961 2,983,510 Blewitt May 9, 1961 

2. APPARATUS ADAPTED TO PLACE ON A BOWLING ALLEY A SELECTED PIN OR COMBINATION OF PINS REPRESENTING LESS THAN THE FULL ARRAY OF PINS AND COMPRISING: (1) PINSPOTTING MEANS FOR PLACING SAID FULL ARRAY OF PINS ON THE ALLEY; (2) MEANS FOR SWEEPING FALLEN AND UNWANTED PINS FROM SAID ALLEY; (3) A PLURALITY OF PIN RESPOTTING UNITS MOVABLE VERTICALLY TO LIFT AND RESPOT PINS STANDING ON THE ALLEY; (4) CONTROL MEANS FOR SAID PINSPOTTING AND SWEEPING MEANS AND FOR SAID RESPOTTING UNITS EFFECTING COMPLETE CYCLES OF OPERATION THEREOF, EACH SUCH CYCLE COMPRISING OPERATION OF SAID PINSPOTTING MEANS, FOLLOWED BY A FIRST DOWNWARD AND UPWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID UNITS TO LIFT PINS FROM THE ALLEY PRIOR TO OPERATION OF SAID SWEEPING MEANS AND THEREAFTER A SECOND DOWNWARD AND UPWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID UNITS TO RESPOT PINS ON THE ALLEY; 